They'll need that kind of optimism to spin their 43-point drubbing at the hands of the Golden State Warriors on Monday into a positive. What's incredible is that from a literal perspective, the 123-80 bludgeoning was actually a step in the right direction.

In a strange way, Philadelphia's season, though hard to watch, is going exactly as planned. Nobody expected the Sixers to do anything but lose this year, and they're settling into a comfortable doormat groove lately.

This is what they wanted.

As a matter of fact, these two recent defeats might give rise to a new term in honor of 76ers general manager Sam Hinkie: